The Royal Naval Air Station at Yeovilton adjoining our property once again staged its spectacular annual air show on 9th July. Participant aircraft and their pilots from around the world enthralled spectators with flying displays made perfect by flying skills honed to a peak. The air show always gives us the opportunity to invite friends to our home to watch the display from part of our garden and enjoy a long leisurely barbecue throughout the day.

The ever popular RAF Red Arrows display team gave a dazzling performance that lasted nearly 20 minutes and never fails to impress everyone that watches them.

The last flying Vulcan Bomber accompanied by a Sea Vixen gave a display of both grace and power. Although the Vulcan is now a historic but awesome weapon of war, it still remains a crowd-puller at air shows. The Vulcan is now owned by a private trust but cost of maintaining this mighty beast is however high. Public donations can be made at http://www.vulcantothesky.org/

Being a naval air base, the grand finale gives the navy the opportunity to display their unique mixture of sea, land and air skills. A set piece of Marines attacking an “enemy” stronghold using massed helicopters to provide transport for both troops, artillery and transport is always a favourite. Air cover for the marines was provided by conventional land based aircraft. Until last year this was provided by Sea Harriers but a short-sighted purely monetary based policy by an insipid coalition government has now left the seriously UK denuded of both aircraft carriers and sea based air cover. As an individual, I suspect most people would prefer our defence capability to be based on a well-trained and well equipped military with real kit rather than the sabre rattling, parliamentary gas-bag variety.

The number of participants was to great to mention them all but I have added below a selection of photographs I took of the show. Click on a picture for a larger image.